Paul Kett, LSBU Group CEO and Vice-Chancellor
My role
As LSBU Group Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor, I am responsible for leading the governance of three organisations that make up the LSBU Group – London South Bank University (LSBU), South Bank Colleges (SBC) and South Bank Academies (SBA). I am the Vice-Chancellor for LSBU and the Accounting Officers for SBC and SBA. I work with the senior leadership teams in each of these three institutions to provide pathways that enable learners to thrive and ensure London has the skilled people needed to drive growth.
The LSBU Group has a shared mission: to challenge social and economic inequality and improves lives. I am accountable for the wellbeing and development of our students and staff, ensuring that our people are supported to succeed. Integral to my role is forming collaborative and trusted relationships at all levels across our organisations and across boundaries with partners and stakeholders.
Background
I am an experienced senior leader with an accomplished track record in education and a specialist in policy, skills, employability and transformation. Through my career I have long championed and influenced the power of pathways to support and enable people to achieve their potential, particularly through further education colleges and universities working in partnership.
Prior to joining LSBU Group, I worked at PwC as Senior Advisor and Global Director, Education and Skills. I was Director General at the Department for Education (DfE) for over six years. From 2019-2022, I was the DfE’s Director General for Skills, responsible for overseeing the post-16 education and training system in England and principal advisor to the Secretary of State on higher education, further education and adult skills. From 2016-2019, I was the DfE’s Director General for Education Standards for schools and early years.
Before joining the DfE I worked for the British Army and was the Director for Strategy and Reform at the Ministry of Justice.
I am an alumnus of the Leadership Fellowship at the Centre for Science and Policy, University of Cambridge. I graduated from the University of Leicester with a BSc in Physics and have an MPhil in the Science and Engineering of Materials from the University of Birmingham.
Having adopted south London as my home over 15 years ago, I am proud to serve our talented and diverse community.
External work
Previously I was a Council Member at the Open University and served on the Audit Committee.
In this section
- Chancellor
- LSBU Group CEO and Vice-Chancellor
- Pro Chancellors
- Board of Governors
- Group Executive
- Academic Board
- Senior pay policies